Improvement in devices for tightening loose tires



VImprove-rnbnfs Devcefr `Tightening Loose Tires;

Patented Nov. 21, `1871.

No, 121,039A

mi am W gf m HIRAM BECKWITH, OF GRASS LAKE, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR TIGHTENING LOOSE TIRES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,039, dated November21, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM BEGKWITE, of Grass Lake, in the county ofJackson and State of Michigan, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in a Device for Tightening Loose rIires; and I do declarethat the following is a true and accurate description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of referencemarked thereon and being a part of this specification, in which theinvention is shown in perspective, with a hub, spoke, and segment offelly in dotted outline.

The nature of Athis invention relates to a device for tightening loosetires on carriage-wheels .without removal or heating; and it consists ina peculiar standard to be placed on the hub, provided with a clampfor'securing it to a spoke and a screw for forcing out the felly fromthe tenen of the spoke, to enable a leather washer to be placed on theshoulder of the tenon, after which the pressure is relieved from thefelly. The felly of the wheel beingV subjected to a similar treatment ateach spoke, it follows that the entire wheel must be equally expandedagainst the tire at all parts of its circumference 5 or as many of thespokes thereof as may be necessary are so treated to accomplish thepurpose.

In the drawing, A represents a metallic standard, provided with anarched foot, a, to rest upon the hub, just behind the spoke. The top ofthe standard is turned over forward, and threaded to form a nut, b, toreceive a longitudinal screw, B, the top of which carries aswivel-bearer, o, which comes under the felly. l The upper part of thescrew is squared so that it may be turned by a wrench. (l is ahorizontal clamp forged on the ower part of the standard, its long armbeing carried forward and turned in ont ofthe spoke to form a nut, d, inwhich is threaded a clampscrew, D. To take up the slack in a loose tirethe standard is rested upon the hub, behind a spoke, as shown, and theclamp-screw is screwed in to force the spoke into close contact with thelower part of the standard, the upper part of which is so curved as tobring the elevatingscrew to one side thereof.- The bearer is now broughtunder the felly. Now, by turning the screw outward the felly will beraised oif the shoulder of the tenen of the spoke sufficiently to allowa leather washer to be inserted between the felly and the shoulder ofthe spoke. When the pressure is relieved the felly will seat itself onthis washer. Y

The clamp also prevents the spoke from being withdrawn from the hub incase that the fellytenon should be a closer iit than the hub-tenon.

If the tire be very loose the operation should be repeated at everyspoke; but if not, a sufficient number of washers should be inserted atopposite points in the wheel to expand the felly sufticiently againstthe tire to accomplish the purpose.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to sec-ure by Letters Patent,is-u The combination of the standard A provided with the claw-foot a,the nut b, and the clamp G with the screw B provided with theswivelbearing c and the screw D, all constructed, ar-

ranged, and operated substantially as described and shown.

HIRAM BECKWITH.

Witnesses: Y

HARRY S. SPEAGUE,

FREDERICK EBERTs. (3l)

